Are You In On "The Secret"?

Okay, as is typical of me, I am about a decade behind on this "new" book, The Secret.  I rejected it outright when my sister, Barb,  mentioned it to me years ago.  It just sounded...stupid.  And boring.  And way too over-the-moon-touchy-feelie-self-help-mumbo-jumbo for me.  However, I picked it up in Malaysia yesterday....(sorry, but how cool did that sound?).  Anyhoo, I did  happen to be in Kuala Lampur  yesterday and I bought it.  I read the whole thing on the plane, save about 10 pages.  I found myself thinking..."Hmm..."  And I'll leave it at that.  I'm dying to know what you all think of it.  So, spill it!  Is there a secret?  Is this more than simply positive thinking?  Is it wacky?  Have you tried any of the principles described?  I'd love to hear your thoughts, so please share.  After I process more, I'll share more of my thoughts, as well. 

Working Mama

Such a touchy issue, this is, so we all try and avoid it.

I never thought I'd be a working Mama, but I am. I have decided to stop beating myself up for it. I've also decided I don't need to justify it. Don't you ever get tired of explaining things to people, or hoping others won't judge you? I do.

I have spent so many years worrying about what my friends will think, what friends of friends will think, and how I'll explain to them why I work, or why things are "different" for me. I've systematically lined up all the differences between my life and their lives and all the differences between their husband's lives and William's life. I've accumulated examples of "stay-at-home-Mom's" who wear it like a badge but spend their time doing x, y, and z. I've written journal entries about how I actually see "the world" by being in it and am therefore that much more prepared to teach my kids, blah, blah, blah.

You know what, though? I have never, ever, not once worried about having to explain it to Heavenly Father. I've never worried that if the prophet himself came to visit me, he wouldn't understand the choice I've made. NEVER! I have always known, without even thinking about it, that they know my heart and my situation, and that they don't feel the need to label, judge, or condescend to me.

Why, then, if I haven't worried about what God Himself thinks, have I spent years worrying about what other frail, imperfect, mortals think of the choice I've made? It does not matter.

The power of that realization, I cannot begin to tell you. It. Does. Not. Matter. Go Ahead. Label me. Patronize Me. Congratulate yourself for being perfect!

We truly do not know what others are going through or why they make the choices they do, so why do we put everyone in a category? As "sisters", in particular, as women---we have SO much stacked against us as it is. We should be building each other up and giving one another the benefit of the doubt.

Am I mad? No, just a bit sad and also a bit relieved. I feel like a tense little jack-in-the-box, who has been wound and wound and wound and just hasn't popped yet. The opinions that matter most to me belong to my husband, my kids, and my God.

As always, and despite my tone, I absolutely welcome--and appreciate-- your comments.

"Animal Farm", by George Orwell---what do you think of it?

Did you read this in high school? In junior high school? I didn't read it as a student, but have read it since becoming a teacher. I don't consider myself very political, nor am I an expert on history. Therefore, the book didn't really appeal to me at first. However, as I have started researching the Russian Revolution along with my students, I can see that it is objectively a brilliant book. What do you think of it?

Once Upon A Time

Once upon a time, I started writing a book.

I submitted proposals and queries to several publishers. I received a lot of rejections and a few good suggestions. I also submitted a proposal to a professional literary agent, who liked my writing and book idea enough that she asked to see more. I submitted more, but the second submission was not as well-received. The agent's comments and suggestions were absolutely valid and I continued to work on the book here and there. Some excellent friends also read it and helped me along in the editing process. I've dusted it off a bit over the years, but haven't done much with it.

Once upon a time, I began a writing course through a school in England. I cruised through the first seven assignments and began working on the eighth assignment in 2004. I'm still not finished.

Once upon a time. You get the idea. I've started several writing projects and one of my resolutions is to finish them and then move on to new ones in 2010. Don't misunderstand---I don't feel bad about where I'm at with these projects. Life happens and things get put aside. That's okay. However, the realization is that life will continue to happen and if these goals are important to me, which they are, then I should work on them.

So,by saying them "aloud", that's what I'm doing---promising myself to bring these goals into real life. In 2010, I plan to:

1. Finish my writing course.
2. Finish the book I started and secure a publisher for it.
3. Try to publish at least 3 articles.
4. Begin writing a new book.

Question for You: What goals (other than weight loss/fitness/being a great Mom) do you have for 2010? What new thing do you want to learn or what project do YOU want to dust off and return to this year?